Solar refrigeration and heating system usable with alternative heat sources

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for heating and cooling includes a solar collector for transferring heat energy from incident solar rays to a liquid refrigerant material thereby changing a first portion to a gaseous state. An eductor-venturi reduces a pressure of the gaseous refrigerant material and a condenser removes the heat energy thereby changing the refrigerant material back to the liquid state. A heat exchanger associated with the condenser receives the heat energy removed from the refrigerant material. A float evaporator mounted in a cold chamber transfers heat energy from the atmosphere to the liquid refrigerant material thereby changing a second portion to the gaseous state and cooling the cold chamber atmosphere. A float actuated valve connected to the float evaporator is responsive to a level of the liquid refrigerant material in the evaporator for regulating a flow of the liquid refrigerant material into the evaporator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a system for coolingand heating and, in particular, to an apparatus and method for bothheating and cooling powered by a solar heat source.

[0002] The U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,289, issued on Oct. 17, 1978 to Edward W.Bottum, shows a solar water heating system including a solar collectorconnected to a heat exchanger in a closed loop charged with refrigerant.The refrigerant is boiled in the collector and condensed in the heatexchanger to give off heat to water passing through the heat exchanger.

[0003] It is known that a heat pump system can be utilized to make ice.The U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,678, issued on Mar. 6, 1979 to Edward W. Bottum,shows a heat pump system having a compressor, evaporator and condenserconnected together for the circulation of fluid refrigerant. Theevaporator is a plate element that collects heat from the sun's rays.During cooler periods or when there is no sunlight, water is sprayed onthe underside of the evaporator plate. This water freezes and forms alayer of ice that can be removed and used. The formation of ice alsogenerates heat that is available to the heat pump thereby increasing theefficiency of the system.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,419, issued on May 17, 1983 to Edward W.Bottum, shows a heating system employing a heat pump that is providedwith heat by a second system employing refrigerant as a heat transfermedium. The refrigerant is boiled using heat energy from the ground or abody of water, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention concerns an apparatus for heating andcooling including a heat source for transferring incident heat energy toa liquid refrigerant material thereby changing the refrigerant materialfrom the liquid state to a gaseous state. The heat source has an inletfor receiving the refrigerant material in the liquid state and an outletfor discharging the refrigerant material in the gaseous state.

[0006] A venturi reduces the pressure of the refrigerant material. A“venturi”, as used herein, refers to a component having an inletreceiving higher-pressure gas and discharging it at a somewhat lowerpressure through an outlet. It also has a second inlet capable ofreceiving gas at a considerably lower pressure (or vacuum) from anevaporator and discharging it through the same outlet. Such a device issometimes called an “eductor”.

[0007] The venturi has a first inlet connected to the heat source outletfor receiving the gaseous refrigerant material and an outlet fordischarging the reduced pressure gaseous refrigerant material. Acondenser means removes heat energy from the refrigerant material,thereby changing the refrigerant material from the gaseous state to theliquid state. The condenser means has an inlet connected to the venturioutlet for receiving the reduced pressure gaseous refrigerant materialand an outlet for discharging the refrigerant material in the liquidstate. The condenser means outlet is connected to the heat source inletto return the liquid refrigerant material to the heat source. A heatexchange means is associated with the condenser means for receiving theheat energy removed from the refrigerant material by the condensermeans.

[0008] A cold chamber containing an atmosphere has an evaporator meansmounted in it to transfer heat energy from the cold chamber atmosphereto the liquid refrigerant material thereby changing the refrigerantmaterial from the liquid state to the gaseous state and cooling the coldchamber atmosphere. The evaporator means has an inlet connected to thecondenser means outlet for receiving the liquid refrigerant material andan outlet connected to a second inlet of the venturi for discharging thegaseous refrigerant material to the venturi. A valve is connected to theevaporator means inlet and is responsive to a level of the liquidrefrigerant material in the evaporator means to regulate a flow of theliquid refrigerant material into the evaporator means. As liquidrefrigerant boils due to its reduced pressure, heat is absorbed.

[0009] The expansion means for the evaporator can be an expansion valve,a “low side float”, or a capillary and a sight glass can be connectedbetween the heat source and the venturi.

[0010] The invention also includes a method for simultaneously heatingand cooling from a source of heat energy comprising the steps of:providing a source of liquid refrigerant material and transferringincident heat energy from a source of the heat energy to the liquidrefrigerant material thereby changing a first portion of the refrigerantmaterial from the liquid state to a gaseous state; reducing a pressureof the gaseous refrigerant material; removing the heat energy from therefrigerant material thereby condensing the reduced pressure gaseousrefrigerant material to change the refrigerant material from the gaseousstate to the liquid state; providing a heat exchange means for receivingthe heat energy removed from the reduced pressure gaseous refrigerantmaterial; evaporating a second portion of the liquid refrigerantmaterial condensed from the reduced pressure gaseous refrigerantmaterial by transferring heat energy from an atmosphere to the secondportion of the liquid refrigerant material thereby changing therefrigerant material from the liquid state to the gaseous state andcooling the atmosphere; and returning the first portion of the liquidrefrigerant material to the source of the liquid refrigerant materialwhereby the incident heat energy simultaneously produces heat energy inthe heat exchange means and cools the atmosphere.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention,will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment when consideredin the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a solar powered cooling and heatingapparatus in accordance with the present invention; and

[0013]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a heating and coolingsystem in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] The present invention concerns a heating and cooling method andapparatus powered by a heating source. There is shown in the FIG. 1 asolar energy source powered system 10 for cooling and heating inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Thesolar energy source includes a conventional solar collector 12positioned at an angle such that it is exposed to the incident rays 14of the sun (not shown). An inlet at a lower end of the solar connector12 is connected to one end of a liquid line 16 and an outlet at an upperend of the solar collector is connected to one end of a vapor line 18.The liquid line 16 includes a generally horizontally extending firstportion 16 a connected between the solar collector 12 and a generallyvertically extending second portion 16 b.

[0015] The vapor line 18 includes a generally vertically extending firstportion 18 a connected between the solar collector 12 and a generallyhorizontally extending second portion 18 b. As described below, thesolar collector 12, the liquid line 16 and the vapor line 18 form aclosed circulation path for the refrigerant material wherein therefrigerant material is in a liquid state below a generally horizontallyextending liquid level 20. The liquid level 20 is shown as a broken linewhich intersects the solar collector 12 adjacent the upper end thereofand also intersects the second portion 16 b of the liquid line 16 belowan upper end thereof. The refrigerant material above the liquid level 20is in a vapor or gaseous state.

[0016] A float evaporator 22 is mounted in a cold chamber 24. A firstconnecting tube 26 extends from the first portion 16 a of the liquidline 16 to an inlet port of the float evaporator 22. A second connectingtube 28 extends from an outlet of the float evaporator 22 to a suctioninlet of an expansion means such as a jet or venturi 30. The venturi 30is inserted into the vapor line second portion 18 b with a first inletfor receiving refrigerant from the solar collector 12 and an outlet. Anoptional sight glass 32 can be connected in the vapor line secondportion 18 b between the solar collector 12 and the inlet of the venturi30. The ends of the lines 16 and 18 opposite the ends connected to thesolar collector 12 are connected to a condenser 34. The vapor linesecond portion 18 b is connected to an inlet of the condenser 34 and theliquid line second portion 16 b is connected to an outlet of thecondenser. A heat exchange means 36, such as a coil, is mounted insidethe condenser and is connected between a cold water inlet line 38 and ahot water outlet line 40.

[0017] In operation, the solar collector 12 is exposed to the rays 14 ofthe sun which causes a first portion of the liquid refrigerant below theliquid level 20 to boil into a vapor. The vaporized refrigerant risesthrough the vapor line first portion 18 a and flows through the sightglass 32 and the venturi 30 to the interior of the condenser 34. As thegaseous refrigerant flows through the venturi 30, a low pressure orvacuum is produced in the second connecting tube 28. The connecting tube28 communicates the low pressure or vacuum to the interior of the floatevaporator 22. A quantity of the liquid refrigerant is present in theevaporator 22 below a liquid level 42. The liquid refrigerant in theevaporator 22 will boil at the lower pressure communicated through thesecond connecting tube 28 and absorb heat from the surroundingatmosphere in the cold chamber 24. The absorption process can be aidedby providing fins 22 b on the exterior of the float evaporator 22 toexpose more surface area to the atmosphere in the cold chamber 24. Avaporized second portion of the refrigerant material exits theevaporator 22 through the tube 28 and joins the vaporized first portionof the refrigerant material from the solar collector 12 in the venturi30. As the liquid level in the evaporator 22 falls due to evaporation, afloat valve 22 a at the inlet opens to allow liquid refrigerant from thefirst connecting tube 26 to flow in and replace the evaporated liquid.When sufficient liquid refrigerant has entered the evaporator 22, thefloat valve 22 a closes.

[0018] The heated gaseous refrigerant from the solar collector 12 andfrom the evaporator 22 enters the condenser 34. Cold water flowing intothe coil 36 from the line 38 absorbs heat from the vaporized refrigerantand this hot water exits the condenser 34 through the hot water line 40.The refrigerant in the condenser 34 is cooled by this heat loss to theliquid state and flows into the liquid line second portion 16 b toreturn to the solar collector 12. The vapor pressure in the condenser 34will be slightly lower than the vapor pressure in upper end of the solarcollector 12, but the liquid head in the liquid line second portion 16 bis adequate to return the liquid refrigerant to the solar collector andto the inlet of the float evaporator 22.

[0019] There is shown in the FIG. 2 a block diagram representation ofthe present invention wherein a heat source powered system 50 forcooling and heating includes a heat source 52 which can be theconventional solar collector 12 shown in the FIG. 1 or any other sourceof heat including electric, fossil fuel, fuel cell, the ground, a bodyof water, etc. An inlet at a lower end of the heat source 52 isconnected to one end of a liquid line 54 and an outlet at an upper endof the heat source is connected to one end of a vapor line 56. Theliquid line 54 includes a generally horizontally extending first portion54 a connected between the heat source 52 and a generally verticallyextending second portion 54 b. The vapor line 56 includes a generallyvertically extending first portion 56 a connected between the heatsource 52 and a generally horizontally extending second portion 56 b.

[0020] As described below, the heat source 52, the liquid line 54 andthe vapor line 56 form a closed circulation path for the refrigerantmaterial wherein the refrigerant material is in a liquid state below agenerally horizontally extending liquid level 58. The liquid level 58 isshown as a broken line which intersects the heat source 52 and thesecond portion 54 b of the liquid line 54 below an upper end thereof.The refrigerant material above the liquid level 58 is in a vapor orgaseous state.

[0021] A float evaporator 60 is mounted in a cold chamber 62. A firstconnecting tube 64 extends from the liquid line first portion 54 a to aninlet port of the float evaporator 60. A second connecting tube 66extends from an outlet of the float evaporator 60 to a suction inlet ofa venturi 68 such as the venturi 30 shown in the FIG. 1. The expansionmeans 60 also can be an expansion valve or a capillary inserted into thetube 64 with an inlet for receiving refrigerant from a condenser 70 andan outlet. The ends of the lines 54 and 56 opposite the ends connectedto the heat source 52 are connected to the condenser 70. The vapor linesecond portion 56 b is connected to an inlet of the condenser 70 and theliquid line second portion 54 b is connected to an outlet of thecondenser. A heat exchange means 70 a, such as the coil 36 shown in theFIG. 1, is mounted inside the condenser 70 and is connected between aninlet line 72 and an outlet line 74.

[0022] The operation of the system 50 is similar to the operation of thesystem 10 shown in the FIG. 1. The heat source 52 heats the liquidrefrigerant below the liquid level 58 to create a vapor. The vaporizedrefrigerant rises through the vapor line first portion 56 a and flowsthrough the venturi 68 to the interior of the condenser 70. As thegaseous refrigerant flows through the venturi 68, a low pressure orvacuum is produced in the second connecting tube 66 which low pressureor vacuum is communicated to the interior of the float evaporator 60. Aquantity of the liquid refrigerant is present in the evaporator 60 belowa liquid level 76. The liquid refrigerant in the evaporator 60 will boilat the lower pressure communicated through the second connecting tube 66and absorb heat from the surrounding atmosphere in the cold chamber 62.The vaporized refrigerant exits the evaporator 60 through the tube 66and joins the vaporized refrigerant from the heat source 52 in theventuri 68. As the liquid level in the evaporator 60 falls due toevaporation, a valve means 60 a, such as the float valve 22 a shown inthe FIG. 1, opens to allow liquid refrigerant from the first connectingtube 64 to flow in and replace the evaporated liquid. When sufficientliquid refrigerant has entered the evaporator 60, the float valve 60 acloses.

[0023] The heated gaseous refrigerant from the heat source 52 and fromthe evaporator 60 enters the condenser 70. A cold transfer medium,liquid or gas, flowing into the condenser 70 from the inlet line 72absorbs heat from the vaporized refrigerant and this hot transfer mediumexits the condenser through the outlet line 74. The gaseous refrigerantin the condenser 70 is cooled by this heat loss to the liquid state andflows into the liquid line second portion 54 b to return to the heatsource 52. The vapor pressure in the condenser 70 will be slightly lowerthan the vapor pressure in upper end of the heat source 52, but theliquid head in the liquid line second portion 54 b is adequate to returnthe liquid refrigerant to the heat source and to the inlet of the floatevaporator 60.

[0024] The apparatus (10, 50) for heating and cooling according to thepresent invention includes the heat source (12, 52) for transferringincident heat energy to a liquid refrigerant material thereby changingthe refrigerant material from the liquid state to a gaseous state, theheat source having an inlet for receiving the refrigerant material inthe liquid state and an outlet for discharging the refrigerant materialin the gaseous state; the venturi (30, 68) for reducing a pressure ofthe refrigerant material, the venturi having an inlet connected to theheat source outlet for receiving the gaseous refrigerant material andhaving an outlet for discharging the reduced pressure gaseousrefrigerant material; the condenser means (34, 70) for removing heatenergy from the refrigerant material thereby changing the refrigerantmaterial from the gaseous state to the liquid state, the condenser meanshaving an inlet connected to the venturi outlet for receiving thereduced pressure gaseous refrigerant material and an outlet fordischarging the refrigerant material in the liquid state, the condensermeans outlet being connected to the heat source inlet for returning theliquid refrigerant material to the heat source; the heat exchange means(36, 70 a) associated with the condenser means for receiving the heatenergy removed from the refrigerant material by the condenser means; thecold chamber (24, 62) containing an atmosphere; the evaporator means(22, 60) mounted in the cold chamber for transferring heat energy fromthe cold chamber atmosphere to the liquid refrigerant material therebychanging the refrigerant material from the liquid state to the gaseousstate and cooling the cold chamber atmosphere, the evaporator meanshaving an inlet connected to the condenser means outlet for receivingthe liquid refrigerant material and having an outlet connected toanother inlet of the expansion means for discharging the gaseousrefrigerant material to the expansion means; and the valve (22 a, 60 a)connected to the evaporator means inlet and being responsive to a levelof the liquid refrigerant material in the evaporator means forregulating a flow of the liquid refrigerant material into the evaporatormeans whereby the heat energy incident upon the heat source producesheat energy in the heat exchange means and cools the cold chamberatmosphere.

[0025] The method according to the present invention for simultaneouslyheating and cooling from a source of heat energy comprises the steps of:a. providing a source of liquid refrigerant material and transferringincident heat energy from a source of the heat energy to the liquidrefrigerant material thereby changing a first portion of the refrigerantmaterial from the liquid state to a gaseous state; b. reducing apressure of the gaseous refrigerant material; c. removing the heatenergy from the refrigerant material thereby condensing the reducedpressure gaseous refrigerant material to change the refrigerant materialfrom the gaseous state to the liquid state; d. providing a heat exchangemeans for receiving the heat energy removed from the reduced pressuregaseous refrigerant material; e. evaporating a second portion of theliquid refrigerant material condensed from the reduced pressure gaseousrefrigerant material by transferring heat energy from an atmosphere tothe second portion of the liquid refrigerant material thereby changingthe refrigerant material from the liquid state to the gaseous state andcooling the atmosphere; and f. returning the first portion of the liquidrefrigerant material to the source of the liquid refrigerant materialwhereby the incident heat energy simultaneously produces heat energy inthe heat exchange means and cools the atmosphere. The method alsoincludes adding the gaseous first portion of the refrigerant material tothe gaseous second portion of the refrigerant material prior toperforming the step c.

[0026] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, thepresent invention has been described in what is considered to representits preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the inventioncan be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated anddescribed without departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for heating and cooling comprising:a solar collector for transferring heat energy from incident solar raysto a liquid refrigerant material thereby changing the refrigerantmaterial from the liquid state to a gaseous state, said solar collectorhaving an inlet for receiving the refrigerant material in the liquidstate and an outlet for discharging the refrigerant material in thegaseous state; a venturi for reducing a pressure of the refrigerantmaterial, said venturi having a first inlet connected to said solarcollector outlet for receiving the gaseous refrigerant material, anoutlet for discharging the reduced pressure gaseous refrigerantmaterial, and a second inlet; a condenser for removing heat energy fromthe refrigerant material thereby changing the refrigerant material fromthe gaseous state to the liquid state, said condenser having an inletconnected to said venturi outlet for receiving the reduced pressuregaseous refrigerant material and an outlet for discharging therefrigerant material in the liquid state, said condenser outlet beingconnected to said solar collector inlet for returning the liquidrefrigerant material to said solar collector; a heat exchangerassociated with said condenser for receiving the heat energy removedfrom the refrigerant material by said condenser; a cold chambercontaining an atmosphere; a float evaporator mounted in said coldchamber for transferring heat energy from the cold chamber atmosphere tothe liquid refrigerant material thereby changing the refrigerantmaterial from the liquid state to the gaseous state and cooling the coldchamber atmosphere, said float evaporator having an inlet connected tosaid condenser outlet for receiving the liquid refrigerant material andhaving an outlet connected to said second inlet of said venturi fordischarging the gaseous refrigerant material to said venturi; and afloat actuated valve connected to said float evaporator inlet and beingresponsive to a level of the liquid refrigerant material in said floatevaporator for regulating a flow of the liquid refrigerant material intosaid float evaporator whereby the heat energy incident upon said solarcollector produces heat energy in said heat exchanger and cools the coldchamber atmosphere.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein saidventuri is an eductor-venturi.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein said float evaporator is a low side float.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 including a sight glass connected between saidsolar collector and said venturi.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein said float evaporator has a plurality of fins on an exteriorsurface thereof exposed to the cold chamber atmosphere.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 including a liquid level for the refrigerantmaterial, said solar collector inlet and said condenser being locatedabove the liquid level and said float evaporator being located below theliquid level.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said heatexchanger means includes a coil mounted in said condenser for receivingwater from a source, transferring the heat energy from the gaseousrefrigerant material in said condenser to the water and discharging theheated water.
 8. An apparatus for heating and cooling comprising: a heatsource for transferring incident heat energy to a liquid refrigerantmaterial thereby changing the refrigerant material from the liquid stateto a gaseous state, said heat source having an inlet for receiving therefrigerant material in the liquid state and an outlet for dischargingthe refrigerant material in the gaseous state; a venturi for reducing apressure of the refrigerant material, said venturi having a first inletconnected to said heat source outlet for receiving the gaseousrefrigerant material, an outlet for discharging the reduced pressuregaseous refrigerant material and a second inlet; a condenser means forremoving heat energy from the refrigerant material thereby changing therefrigerant material from the gaseous state to the liquid state, saidcondenser means having an inlet connected to said venturi outlet forreceiving the reduced pressure gaseous refrigerant material and anoutlet for discharging the refrigerant material in the liquid state,said condenser means outlet being connected to said heat source inletfor returning the liquid refrigerant material to said heat source; aheat exchange means associated with said condenser means for receivingthe heat energy removed from the refrigerant material by said condensermeans; a cold chamber containing an atmosphere; an evaporator meansmounted in said cold chamber for transferring heat energy from the coldchamber atmosphere to the liquid refrigerant material thereby changingthe refrigerant material from the liquid state to the gaseous state andcooling the cold chamber atmosphere, said evaporator means having aninlet connected to said condenser means outlet for receiving the liquidrefrigerant material and having an outlet connected to said second inletof said venturi for discharging the gaseous refrigerant material to saidventuri; and a valve connected to said evaporator means inlet and beingresponsive to a level of the liquid refrigerant material in saidevaporator means for regulating a flow of the liquid refrigerantmaterial into said evaporator means whereby the heat energy incidentupon said heat source produces heat energy in said heat exchange meansand cools the cold chamber atmosphere.
 9. The apparatus according toclaim 8 wherein said expansion means is one of a low side float and anexpansion valve.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 8 including asight glass connected between said heat source and said venturi.
 11. Amethod for simultaneously heating and cooling from a source of heatenergy comprising the steps of: a. providing a source of liquidrefrigerant material and transferring incident heat energy from a sourceof the heat energy to the liquid refrigerant material thereby changing afirst portion of the refrigerant material from the liquid state to agaseous state; b. reducing a pressure of the gaseous refrigerantmaterial; c. removing the heat energy from the refrigerant materialthereby condensing the reduced pressure gaseous refrigerant material tochange the refrigerant material from the gaseous state to the liquidstate; d. providing a heat exchange means for receiving the heat energyremoved from the reduced pressure gaseous refrigerant material; e.evaporating a second portion of the liquid refrigerant materialcondensed from the reduced pressure gaseous refrigerant material bytransferring heat energy from an atmosphere to the second portion of theliquid refrigerant material thereby changing the refrigerant materialfrom the liquid state to the gaseous state and cooling the atmosphere;and f. returning the first portion of the liquid refrigerant material tothe source of the liquid refrigerant material whereby the incident heatenergy simultaneously produces heat energy in the heat exchange meansand cools the atmosphere.
 12. The method according to claim 11 includingadding the gaseous first portion of the refrigerant material to thegaseous second portion of the refrigerant material prior to performingsaid step c.